Babies that do not always like to be held...

My DS is 3 and a half months old now. The problem is, he really doesn't like to be held that much. He hates the cradle hold other than to drink his bottle and he normally doesn't last more than 5-10 minutes in other holds (over the shoulder, on his side) without fussing or crying. What makes it worse is that he recently started daycare and when I went to pick him up the other day, he has fast asleep in one of the employee's arms. This same employee told me that he loves being held by her and it must be her scent or something .

I just feel so badly as a Mommy, like I must be doing something wrong. DS is the same way with my DH too. So why does he respond to people so differently in daycare?

On the positive side, DS does smile/coo when he sees us and seems to genuinely enjoy being around us. It's just the holding thing. But it makes me sad because I want to bond with him and feel like I am denying him something if he doesn't want to be held.

Is this common? Did anyone else experience this and now their DC are more into affection?

Message edited 4/26/2007 3:15:29 PM.

Re: Babies that do not always like to be held...

I am convinced that, although my 3 wk old does enjoy being held by me, that he just loves the novelty of being held by other people especially when he has spent the entire day with me.... Maybe he likes the variety?

Re: Babies that do not always like to be held...

Anyone else?

Re: Babies that do not always like to be held...

My dd was and still is that way. Her twin brother is the total opposite, he loves to just sit on our laps and snuggle.
DD never like to be held for any period of time - when she was an infant - it was just for when she was having a bottle. She is very independent still at 18 months. She will want to be picked up but immediately she looks to get down.
It used to upset me but its just her personality and I've accepted that that is just the way she is.